Despite producing a battling display, under-strength Ottery St Mary 2nd XI last weekend slipped to a narrow defeat against undefeated league leaders, Bovey Tracey as a lack of batting in their ranks proved costly, writes Ian Townsend.

The Otters claimed three early scalps as first Harry Senior (4) was run out, then a good spell from left armer Zac Johns was rewarded with the wickets of Ben Roberts, bowled for three and Dominic Whitlock (22) who was pinned lbw.

Johns also pouched a return catch to remove Ollie Thomas (9) leaving Bovey at 81-4 but Dan Green was striking the ball well, his 43-ball half century featuring seven fours and two huge sixes into the adjoining caravan park!

Harry Peters (2-17) ended the middle order man’s fun at 54, courtesy of a catch by Johns, but after the teenager claimed a second scalp by castling Simon Partridge for a duck and George Southall-Brown removed Sam Thomas (0) in similar fashion, Bovey posted two crucial late innings stands.

First experienced skipper Jerry Christophers (27) added 27 with Chris Golding before being trapped lbw by Johns (4-43), then Golding and No.11 Chris Yabsley (8*) added a precious 34 before the former was run out for 23 (four fours).

The Otters did not help themselves by conceding 33 wides, but 204 all out on a good wicket and fast outfield did not appear insurmountable.

The Otters reply was given a solid start by teenage openers Dan Jeacock and Joe Henkus (16), 36 accruing from nine overs before Henkus inexplicably chose to attempt a run to short cover and was comprehensively run out. However, Jeacock was batting solidly and he added 38 with vice-captain Alex Clements before departing for 32 (five fours) via a catch by Senior off Yabsley. Peters and the out-of-form Trevor Griffin fell to left arm spinner Christophers (2-21) without troubling the scorers as the Otters slipped to 76-4, but the experienced duo of Clements and skipper Rick Jackson resisted with a 62-run stand in 15 overs. Nevertheless, the home side were slipping behind the asking rate in the face of a well-directed all spin attack. After Jackson (23) was stumped by Whitlock off Yabsley (3-34) and Johns’ short-lived cameo (18 off 10 balls with two sixes) ended when he edged the same bowler behind, the end was nigh. Despite the ever reliable Clements (63*) reaching another half century (83 balls, nine fours), in the company of the lower order, a target of forty nine runs from the remaining four overs was never on the cards and the gallant Otters closed 25 runs short on 180-8.

Bovey Tracey 204 (D Green 54, Extras 35, J Christophers 27, C Golding 23, D Whitlock 22, Z Johns 4-43, H Peters 2-17) Ottery St Mary 180-8 (A Clements 63*, D Jeacock 32, R Jackson 23, C Yabsley 3-34, J Christophers 2-21). Bovey Tracey (19pts) bt Ottery St Mary (9pts) by 24 runs.